Community Corner
Montclair Library Will Celebrate Latin American Culture With Events
This September and October, celebrate the diverse cultural traditions of Latin America at the Montclair Public Library.
MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Montclair Public Library/Latinos of Montclair. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.
This September and October, celebrate the diverse cultural traditions of Latin America with a suite of programs organized by the Montclair Public Library and co-sponsored by Latinos of Montclair. From Spanish flamenco and Puerto Rican stories to Latin jazz and Andean panpipe workshops, guests of all ages can explore the vast region spanning Mexico to Chile and also Spain and Portugal.
“We are so proud to be hosting this exceptional celebration with music, poetry, discussions, stories, and games from these beautiful cultures," says Library Director Janet Torsney. "Join us!"
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“We are excited to kick-off our second year of Latino Heritage Month activities in partnership with the Montclair Public Library,” says Natalia Espejo, President of Latinos of Montclair. “Our goal is to highlight the great diversity found in the American Latino experience by offering a variety of events, from Lotería to Cuentos Andinos to a Latine Music & Poetry Showcase led by the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. You won’t want to miss it!”
The celebration is inspired by National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 to October 15 every year in communities across the United States.
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All programs listed below are free. Registration is required at montclairlibrary.org/events unless otherwise noted. This celebration is made possible by funds from the Essex County Division of Cultural Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
ADULT PROGRAMS
The Post-Castro Era, Pandemic, and a New Cold War? Prospects for a Rapidly Changing Caribbean
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m., Main Library
Dr. Harry Franqui-Rivera, professor at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, will explore the possible political realignment of the Caribbean. Adult School lecture.
Thursday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m., Bellevue Ave. Branch
We’ll read “Afterlife” by Julia Alvarez.
Thursday, Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m., Main Library (Plaza)
Enjoy an evening of spoken word poetry with Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Hear cutting-edge, Latin voices organized by Paul LaTorre, professor at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, and backed by music from La Manga, an all-female percussion ensemble. Adult School event.
A Window to Andean Traditions: Panpipe Workshop
Wednesday, Sept. 27, 5:30 p.m., Main Library
Ecuadorian-born musician Pepe Santana will delve into Andean culture while teaching students how to build and play the panpipe. Adult School class.
Evening Showcase of Peruvian Music and Dance
Monday, Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m., Main Library
Enjoy performances by award-winning recording artist Lula Valdivia and Rosa Carhallanqui, founder of Peruincafolk Company. Adult School event.
Broken Promises: Puerto Ricans and Urban Development in Mid-20th Century New York
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 6:30 p.m., Main Library
Lorrin Thomas, professor at Rutgers University, will highlight the ways Puerto Rican New Yorkers responded to the 1950s demolition of the San Juan Hill neighborhood. Adult School lecture.
An Evening with Cocomama: Latin Jazz and More
Thursday, Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m., Main Library
Join us for an entertaining evening of Latin jazz, salsa, and more with Cocomama, whose members hail from around the globe. Registration not required, but recommended.
YOUTH & TEEN PROGRAMS
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 4 p.m., Main Library
We’ll discuss Latinx Stories & Voices.
Masks of the Americas Workshop (ages 6+)
Saturday, Oct. 7, 3 p.m., Bellevue Ave. Branch
Learn about masks used in Latin American celebrations, ceremonies, and rituals, then decorate your own. Presented by artist Monica Chavarria. See her exhibit “De Colombia P’al Mundo” in the Main Library Cafe from Sept. 2-30.
Folk Music of Colombia (all ages)
Saturday, Sept. 16, 4:30 p.m., Main Library (Plaza)
Viva Vallenato! Cumbia Band will entertain with the folkloric music of Colombia. Registration not required, but recommended.
Decima Poetry Workshop (ages 8+)
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 4 p.m., Main Library
Learn about the décima espinela, a unique poetic form created during Spain’s Golden Age. Registration not required, but recommended.
Estimulación Musical para la Primera Infancia (birth-24 months)
Thursday, Sept. 21, 10:30 a.m., Bellevue Ave. Branch
Learn, sing, and move with your baby in this immersive Spanish lapsit.
Lotería! Bilingual Bingo (ages 5+)
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 4 p.m., Main Library
Join us for MPL’s spin on the traditional Lotería game played in Mexico. Registration not required, but recommended.
Wednesday, Sept. 27, 4 p.m., Main Library
Listen to books in Spanish and English set in the Andes Mountains, such as “Run, Little Chaski!” by Mariana Llanos. No registration.
Flamenco Para Los Niños (all ages)
Saturday, Sept. 30, 4:30 p.m., Main Library
Admission Nation presents flamenco, the riveting Spanish dance form with colorful costumes and rhythmic sounds. Registration not required, but recommended.
Día de los Muertos (ages 12-18)
Thursday, Oct. 5, 5 p.m., Main Library
Learn about Día de los Muertos by decorating your own sugar skulls and making a community altar. Led by educator Ana Maria Nichim Luna Toporek.
Cuentos Puertorriqueños: Puerto Rican Stories (ages 3-7)
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 4 p.m., Main Library
Enjoy books about the island of Puerto Rico along with acoustic guitar songs in Spanish. No registration.
Bilingual Children’s Author Susie Jaramillo & Kiki Chickie Puppet (babies–pre-K)
Thursday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m., Main Library
Jaramillo will read some of her bilingual Spanish books for young children and lead families in nursery rhyme singalongs. Registration not required, but recommended.
Era Uma Vez, na Biblioteca: Dia das Crianças Portuguese Storytime (birth-age 9)
Friday, Oct. 13, 4 p.m., Main Library
Celebrate Day of the Children—stories will be interwoven with songs and rhymes, all in Portuguese. Led by educator Ana Cristina Coura. Registration not required, but recommended.
Celebrating Frida Kahlo: Make a Self-Portrait with Your Pet (ages 8-11)
Saturday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m., Main Library
Learn about the renowned Mexican painter and feminist icon. Then create a self-portrait with your pet in her style.
About the Montclair Public Library
Founded in 1893, the Montclair Public Library serves the residents of Montclair, New Jersey. It has two facilities: the Main Library at 50 S. Fullerton Avenue and the Bellevue Avenue Branch at 185 Bellevue Avenue. The Library has been changing lives every day for over 125 years through words, ideas, and community building by providing unlimited opportunities for lifelong learning, discovery, and community engagement. Visit montclairlibrary.org for more information.
About Latinos of Montclair
We are a grassroots organization of Latinos in Montclair uniting the Latino community to promote greater visibility, celebrate cultural diversity, and encourage civic engagement. Visit www.latinosofmontclair.org for more information and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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